Change gear transmission



Hg, 3, 19 CQURT ii? CHANGE GEAR TRANSMISSION Filed Jan. 9, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l mg. 3, E94. F. T. coum' CHANGE v GEAR TRANSMI S S ION F iled Jam 9, 1945 I II I /I7' M 9 o 57 58 Q f r 94 j ss I 5 6'v s 2 o g SJ FIG. I0 FIG. 9

I NVENTOR. FRANK TI COURT ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 3, 1948 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHANGE GEAR TRANSMISSION Frank T. Court, Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 9,1945, Serial No. 571,973

14 Claims. 1

The present, invention relates generally to no coaxially arranged shafts are used, the transmission is simpler, less expensive, and more efficient than conventional transmissions, for an equal number of speed changes.

Another feature of my invention resides in the use of two gear shift levers for shifting the gears of the transmission, the levers being disposed closely together and side by side for movement either simultaneously or independently through equal ranges of movement for the four speeds forward. Thus, most gear changes from one speed to another can be accomplished by either shifting only one lever from one position to another or shifting both levers simultaneously, using one hand, the shifting being accomplished by straight fore and aft movement of the levers without the necessity for any transverse movement during the shifting operation.

Another object relates to the provision of a single shifting lever, in another embodiment of my invention, in which a large number of speed changes are accomplished by means of only two shiftable members. In this connection it is a further object of my invention to provide a guide wall or plate between the two shiftable members, with openings or gates to insure that the control lever travels in a proper path in moving from one speed combination to another.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following description, in which reference is had to the drawings appended hereto, in which Figure 1 is a sideelevational view of a change gear transmission employing a single gear shift lever, the wall of the housing being broken away to show the details of the gears, the latter being in their neutral position.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the transmission mechanism, with the rear wall cut away to expose the gears.

Figure 3 is a'diagrammatic view of the'shafts 2 and gears of the mechanism with three of the shafts lying in the same plane in order to more clearly illustrate the position of the gears in one of the forward speeds.

Figure 4 is a plan view taken along a line 4-4 in Figure 2, showing the gear shifting members and the means for engaging the latter by the control lever.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view, similar to Figure 3, but showing the gears set in reverse. Figure 6 is a plan view, similar to Figure 4'. but showing the shifting members in a position corresponding to the position of the gears in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the shifting members in another embodiment of my invention, in which two gear shift levers are used instead of one.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing a guide plate for the two gear shift levers in the modified form of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a. fragmentary side eievational view, similar to the view shown in Figure 1, but employing the two gear shift levers, the gears being omitted to more clearly show the shifting members and the levers; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary rear elevational view. similar to Figure 2, but showing the two gear shift levers and omitting the gears.

Referring now to the drawings, and more partlcularly to Figures 1 and 2, the transmisson mechanism is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral l5 and comprises a supporting housing It including a pair of front and rear supporting walls l8, l1, lying in parallel planes, and interconnected by a, peripherally extending curved housing wall l9, which is provided with an opening 20 in the upper portion thereof, covered by a cover plate H, which is attached by suitable means (not shown) over the opening 20.

Disposed within the housing It are several parallel shafts, namely, a drive shaft 25, a sour. tershaft 26, a reverse shaft21, and a driven shaft 28. Each of the shafts 25, 26, 21 and 28 is journaled in the two parallel supporting walls ll, iii. in suitable bearings (not shown), and the drive shaft 25 extends through the front wall I8 and is adapted for connection to a suitable driving element, such as a motor (not shown), while the driven shaft 28 is adapted for connection to any suitable driven element, such as the propeller shaft of a vehicle. The countershaft 26 and reverse shaft 21 are disposed wholly within the housing and carried in beerings at opposite ends thereof, respectively.

The drive shaft 28 is provided with splines 88 within the housing I8, on which shaft is slidably mounted'ia compound gear member 8|, which includes a pair of gear elements 82, 88, interconnected by a cylindrical hub member 84, the interior of which is splined to slidably receive the splined portion 88 of the shaft 28 and to prevent relative rotation between the gears 32. 88 and the drive shaft 25.

Similarly, the driven shaft 28 has a splined portion 38 within the housing between the walls l1, l8, and on which is axially slidable a second compound gear member 51, which comprises a pair of axially spaced gear elements 88. I8, interconnected by a cylindrical hub member 88, the interior of which is splined to receive the splined portion 88 of the shaft 28 providing for axial sliding movement but preventing relative rotation therebetween.

The countershaft 28 is provided with a pair of axially spaced gear elements 88, 88, which are rigidly fixed to the shaft 28. The gear 45 is adapted to mesh with the gear element 82 of the compound gear member 8|. when the latter is shifted axially toward the left as viewed in Figure 1, on the splined portion 38 of the drive shaft 45. The gear 45 is also adapted to mesh with the gear element 38 of the compound gear 31, when the latter is shifted to the left hand end of the splined portion 38 of the drive shaft 28. As indicated in Figure 2, there is no interference between the gears 38 and 82, so that if desired, both of the latter gears can run in mesh with the gear 45, simultaneously. The other gear 88 on the countershaft 28 is adapted to mesh with the other gearelement 88 of the compound gear member 81 when the latter is shifted to the position shown in Figure l, and the gear 48 is also adapted to mesh with the other gear element 39 of the compound gear member 81 on the driven shaft 28. Since there is no interference between the gears: 38 and 38, both of the latter can be disposed in mesh with the gear 48, simultaneously, if desired.

It is now evident that each of the compound gear members 8|, 31 can be shifted independently into mesh with either of the gear elements 85 and 48 on the countershaft 28, thus providing four gear ratios between the drive shaft 25 and the driven shaft 28, through the countershaft 28.

A third gear element 58 is provided on the countershaft 28 at one end of the latter outside of the pair of gears l5, 48. This third gear element 58 is disposed in constant meshing relation with a reverse gear which is rigidly fixed to the reverse shaft 21.

The compound gear element 3| can be shifted from the position shown in Figure 1' toward the right until the gear element 38 is disconnected from meshing relation with the gear element 18 and then is shifted into meshing relation with the reverse gear". The drive shaft 25 is then connected to the driven shaft 28 through the gear element 33, the reverse gear 5!, the third gear element 58, the countershaft 28, and the compoimd gear member 81, which can be in mesh with either of the pair of gears 85, 88 on the countershaft 28, thereby providing a choice of two gear ratios when driving the driven shaft in reverse direction. It is to be noted that in shifting from one of the forward speeds to a -reverse speed. the com ound gear member 31 is shifted toward the right. first into meshing relation between the gears 88 and 88.. and beyond that position into an outward position in which 4 the gear element 88 meshes with the reverse gear 51, in the position indicated in Figure 5.

The compound gear member 3| on the drive shaft 28 is shifted axially on the splined portion 88. by means of a shifting fork 65, which is bifurcated to engage a peripheral groove 88 in the cylindrical hub 84. The fork is rigidly attached to a shifting member in the form of a yoke or sleeve 51, which is slidable along a supporting rod 58, disposed paralle1 to the drive shaft 28 and rigidly fixed on opposite ends thereof, respectively, to the front and rear walls [8, ll of the housing l8.

Similarly, the compound gear member 31 is provided with a shifting fork 88, which is bifurcated to engage a peripheral groove 8i in the cylindrical hub member 48. The shifting fork 88 is rigidly attached to a shifting member in the form of a yoke or sleeve 82 which is slidable longitudinally along a supporting rod 83, mounted rigidly within the housing l8 between the walls I1, 8. v

A guide wall 85 is provided in the form of a plate, which extends between the two supporting rods 58, 88, and is rigidly fixed at opposite ends thereof, respectively, to the two supporting walls i1, 18 of the housing I 8. The shifting yokes 51, 82 are provided with lateral extensions 88, 81, which extend axially of the sleeves 51, 82 and bear against opposite sides of the wall or plate 85. The top sides of the extensions 88, 81 are recessed adjacent the sides of the plate 85, the extension 88 being provided with a pair of comparatively closely spaced recesses or sockets 88; 89, while the extension 81 is provided with a pair of axiall spaced recesses or sockets 18, 1| adjacent the opposite side of the wall 85.

Each of the sockets is adapted to receive the lower end 12 of a gear shift lever 13, which is swingably mounted in a ball and socket joint 14 in an upwardly extending portion 15 of the cover member 2!. The upper end of the lever 13 is provided with a suitable handle (not shown) by which the operator can swing the lever 13 about the center of the ball and socket joint 14. Thus, with the lower end 12 of the gear shift lever in any of the sockets or recesses 88, 89, 18, H, the associated shifting member 51 or 82 can be shifted axially along its associated supporting rod 58 or 83, to shift the respective compound gear member 3| or 31 axially along its splined shaft 38 or 38, respectively. The wall 85 is provided with three longitudinally spaced openings or gates 88, 8| 82, in the form of notches or slots open at the top and equal in depth to the recesses 88, 1 I, providing for shifting the lower end 12 of the lever 13 from one of the recesses 88, 89 on one side of the plate to one of the recesses 18, 1| on the other side of the plate. Thus, the wall 85 serve as a guide which prevents the control lever 13 from being shifted from one of the shifting members 51, 82 to the other, except when the recess in which the lever is engaged is disposed in proper alignment with one of the gates 88, 8 I, 82 and with one of the recesses in the other shifting member.

In operation, the four forward speeds are obtained by selectively driving the countershaft 28 at either of two speeds, from the drive shaft 25, and then selecting either of two gear ratios at which to drive the driven shaft 28 from the countershaft 28, the last mentioned selective ratios being obtained at either of the speeds of the countershaft. Hence, the compound gear member 31 on the drive shaft may be considered as a range selector, while the other compound gear member 31 can be considered as a speed selector. by means of which two speeds of the driven shaft 26 can be obtained for each range of speed selected by the range selector 3|.

The gears are in neutral position when either or both of the gear members 3|, 31 are disposed in a central position between the pair of gears 46, 46 on the countershaft 26. In the neutral Position shown in Figure 1, the speed selector 31 is disposed in disconnected position between the two gear elements 45, 46, while the range selector 3| is shifted toward the right to mesh the smaller gear element 33 with the larger gear element 46 on the countershaft 26. In this position the countershaft 26 is rotated during theidling period, which has the advantage of maintaining a flow of lubricating oil over the parts which condition would not exist if-the range selector 3| were to be shifted to a disconnected position between the two gears 45, 46,thereby allowing the countershaft 26 to remain stationary. In the neutral position shown in Figure 1, the recesses '10, 1| are disposed in register with the gates 62,

86, respectively, while the recess 68' is disposed in register with the gate 82. of the control lever 13 is disposed in either of the aligned recesses 68, and can be readily shifted from one to the other through the gate 82. The lowest speed of the driven shaft 28 can then be obtained by shifting the lever 13 into engagement with the recess 10 and moving the shifting member 62 toward the left, thereby shifting the large gear element 36 on the speed selector 31 into engagement with the smaller gear element 45 on the countershaft 26. This connection gives the largest reduction between the drive shaft and the driven shaft 28.

The second forward speed can then be obtained by shifting the selector 62 toward the right into engagement with a stop in the form of a sleeve 65 on the supporting rod 63. In this position of the The lower end 12 gears, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the smaller gear element 33 on the range selector 3| is still in mesh with the larger gear element 46on the counter shaft 26, as in the case of'the lowest speed combination, while the speed selector 31 has been shifted to the right to engage the smaller gear element 33 with the same gear element 46 on the countershaft 26 with which the range selector gear 33 is engaged.

The third speed connection is obtained by shifting the range selector 3| to its higher range position, and returning the speed selector 31 to its lower speed connection. This is accomplished by shifting th speed selector 31 back to neutral position, thereby realigning the recesses 68, 10 with the gate 82. The lever 13 is then moved into engagement with the recess 68 in the shifting member 51 and the latter is then shifted toward the left to position the recess 66 in register with the gate 66, which in turn is in register with the recess 1| in the shift member 62. This operation has shifted therange selector 3| to the left, meshing the larger gear element 32 with the smaller gear element on the countershaft 26, thereby driving the countershaft at a higher speed. Now, the speed selector. 31 is shifted from neutral position to lower speed connection, with -the larger gear element 38 shifted into meshing engagement with the smaller gear element 45 on the countershaft 26. This is accomplished by moving the control lever through the gate 8!! into the recess 1| and then shifting the shifting member 62 toward th left as far as it will go into engagement with the housing wall I8.

-of the latter being in the recess 1|, to shift the shifting member 61 into engagement with the stop sleeve 85, thereby shifting the gear element 33 on the speed selector 31 into engagement with the larger gear element 46 on the countershaft 26.

The reverse connection, shown in Figure 5, can be obtained by first returning to the neutral position of Figure 1. shifting the speed selector 31 back to its neutral position, by realigning the recess 1| with the gate 80. The lower end 12 of the lever 13 is then shifted through the gate into the recess 66, then returning the shifting member 51 toward the right to place the recess 68 in register with the gate 82. This returns the range selector 3| to the position shown in Figure 1, in which the smaller gear element 33 is in mesh with the element 46 on the countershaft. In order to obtain the reverse connection of Figures 5 and 6, the gears must first be shifted into the first gear connection, that is to say, the highest gear reduction.

shaft. This places the recess 16 in register with the center gate 8|, as shown in Figure 6, and atthis time the range selector 3| is in-mesh with the gear 46 on the countershaft, and has a second recess 69 disposed'in register with the center gate 8|. The control lever is then shifted from the recess 10 through the gate 8| into the recess 63,

after which the shifting member 51 can he slid toward the right into engagement with the wall l1 of the housing, in which position the smaller gear element 33 has been shifted out of engagement with the gear element 46 and into engagement with the reverse gear 5| on the reverse shaft 21. In order to return the transmission mechanism to one of the forward speeds, the range selector 3| is returned. to its original position in mesh with the gear element 46, thereby placing the transmission in its lowest speed connection. To return to neutral, the lever is shifted through the gate 6| into the recess 10 and the shifting member 62 is then shifted to a position in which the recess 16 is again in register with the gate 62 and also with the opposite recess 66 in the shifting member 66.

Although the gear change mechanism can be controlled readily with one control lever, as explalned above, I prefer to control the gear change mechanism with .two levers, one for each of the shifting members 51, 62, for I believe that the operation of the two levers is somewhat easier to comprehend than is the operation with a single lever.

Figures 7-10 inclusive show thecontrol mechanism which employs a pair of control levers 38, 9|, swingably mounted on a common pivot member 92 for independent swinging movement about the latter. The lower ends ofthe control levers 90, 9| are receivedwithin a pair of recesses or sockets 93, 94 disposed in the lateral extensions 66, 61 of the shifter member 51, 62, respectively. In this embodiment, the wall 65 is omitted, since the levers remain in their respective sockets at all times. 'The upper ends of the levers 30, 3| are designated by reference numerals 35, 36, and have suitable handles mounted at their upper extremities (not shown), by means of which the levers can be shifted about the axis of the pivot This is accomplished by first j are shifted by one lever or by two levers.

. ously in the same direction and through equal extents of movement to obtain certain gear changes, while to obtain other gear changes the levers are shifted independently.

The gear mechanism is omitted from Figures 7-10, inclusive, since it is identical with the embodiment shown in Figures 1-6, inclusive. Therefore, the positions of the shifting members 51, 62, aswell as the positions of the range and speed selectors 3|, 3! are the same; whether tThfiy e upper portions 95, 99 of the levers 90, 9| move within a pair of slots 91, 98 in a guide plate 99 (see Figure 8) This guide plate is supported by any suitable means (not shown) and the ends ofthe slots serve as limit stops for the handles of the levers. Inasmuch as the guide plate 99 is located above the pivot axis of the levers while the levers engage the shifting members 51, 92 below the pivot axis, the position of the upper ends of the levers are opposite to the position to the lower ends of the levers. The guid plate 99 in Figure 8 is shown in the position in which it would appear to the operator of a vehicle, such as a tractor or automobile employing a transmission of this type, in which the drive shaft extends forwardly to the engine of the tractor, while the driven shaft 28 extends rearwardly to the rear traction wheels, thereby positioning the end wall l8 of the transmission housing toward the front of the vehicle. With the gears set in neutral as in Figure 1, the levers are positioned as shown in Figure 8, with the upper portion 95 of the range selector control lever moved forwardly to shift the range selector 3| into a position in which the gear element 33 meshes with the gear 48 on the countersh'aft. The speed selector 31 is set in neutral disconnected position between the countershaft gear elements 45, 46, by placing the upper portion 96 of the lever 9] intermediate the ends of the slot 98, there being a laterally extending notch H19 in the outer side of the slot 99, which definitely positions this lever in neutral.

To shift the gears into the lower speed connection, the handle 96 of the lever 9! is shifted rearwardly in the slot 98 to the rearward end thereof, thereby shifting the speed selector 3! forwardly into mesh with the countershaft gear 45. The handle 96 is sprung slightly in order to bear against the outer edge of the slot 98 in order that it is retained within the notch I00 when in neutral, and therefore to move it rearwardly, it must be forced slightly inwardly to withdraw it from the notch I90.

To shift from first speed to second speed, the handle 96 is pushed forwardly to the forward end of the slot 98, thereby shifting the speed selector 3! rearwardly into mesh with the countershaft gear 46. In each of these speed combinations, namely, neutral, first gear, and second gear, the range selector handle 95 remains at the forward end of the slot 91, and this handle is also sprung toward the right in order to bear against the right hand edge of the slot 91.

. To shift from second speed to third speed, the operator grasps both handles 95, 99 and shifts both levers to the rear ends of the slots 91, 98, respectively, thereby shifting the range selector 3| and the speed selector 3! forwardly into mesh with the countershaft gear 45.

To shift from third speed to fourth speed, the

forwardly to the forward end of the slot 98, thereby shifting the speed selector 3! rearwardly into mesh with the countershaft. gear 46, leaving the handle at the rear of the slot 91.

To shift from any of the forward speeds into reverse, the handle 95 is shifted forwardly through a forward extension l0l of the slot 81 to an extreme forward position, thereby shifting the range selector through a position in which the gear element 33 meshes with the countershaft gear 49 to an extreme position in which the gear element 33 meshes with the reverse gear 5|. Thus, when shifting from fourth or highest speed to reverse, the range selector 3| moves rearwardly from a position in mesh with the countershaft gear 45 into a position in which the gear element meshes with the countershaft gear 46, but continuing rearwardly out of the last named position into mesh with the reverse gear 5|. Since this merely reverses the direction of rotation of the countershaft 26, there are two reverse speeds, one in which the speed selector gear element 39 meshes with the countershaft gear 45 and the other in which the speed selector gear element 39 meshes with the countershaft gear 46, that is to say, the low and high speed reverse connections, respectively. Obviously, the speed selector 3'! can be shifted from one of these positions or the other in order to change from the high reverse to the low reverse speed connection, or viceversa, as desired.

Thus, it is now evident that with a total of only eight gears, I can obtain any of four forward speeds or two reverse speed connections, and the transmission mechanism is simple and inexpensive, since it is not complicated by any tubular gear carrying shaft journaled on other gear carrying shafts, as are commonly known in conventional transmission mechanism.

I do not intend my invention to be limited strictly to the details shown and described herein, but only as limited by the claims which follow.

I claim:

' 1. In power transmitting mechanism, a splined drive shaft, a splined driven shaft parallel thereto, a pair of compound gear members slida'ble axially on said shafts, respectively, each of said members comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements, a counter shaft disposed parallel to said splined shafts, a pair of axially spaced gear elements fixed on said countershaft and so positioned that the two gear elements of each gear member can be shifted into mesh with the two gear elements of said countershaft, respectively, providing four transmission ratios thereby, by shifting each of said gear members independently in either direction along its respective splined shaft, 9. third gear element fixed on said countershaft outwardly of said pair of elements thereon, and a reverse gear disposed in mesh with said third gear element and positioned to mesh with one of said gear elements on one of said gear members when said member is shifted outwardly from a position in mesh with one of the pair of gear elements on said countershaft.

2. In power transmitting mechanism, a splined drive shaft, a splined driven shaft parallel thereto, a countershaft disposed parallel to said splined shafts, a pair of axially spaced gear elements fixed on said countershaft, a range selector slidable axially on said drive shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershaft to drive the latter at two different speeds, selectively, a speed selector slidable axially on said driven shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershaft to drive said driven shaft at two different speeds, selectively, at either of said two speeds of said countershaft, providing four gear ratios between said splined shafts in a given direction of rotation, a third gear element fixed on said countershaft, and a reverse gear element meshingwith said third ar element, said reverse gear element being positioned to mesh with one of said gear elements on one of said selectors when the latter is shifted axially beyond one of its meshing positions to drive said driven shaft in reverse direction, providing two gear ratios at which said driven shaft can be driven in said reverse direction.

3. In power transmitting mechanism, a splined drive shaft, a splined driven shaft parallel thereto, a countershaft disposed parallel to said splined shafts, a pair of axially spaced gear ele-- ments fixed on said countershaft, a range selector slidable axially on said drive shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to meshwith said gear elements splined shaft, 2. compound gear member shift-- able axially thereon and comprising a pair of on said countershaft to drive the latter at two different speeds, selectively, a speed selector slidable axially on said driven shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershaft' to drive said driven shaft at two diiferent speeds, selectively, at either of said two speeds of said countershaft, providing four gear ratios between said splined shafts in a given direction of rotation, a third gear element fixed on said countershaft, and a reverse gear element meshing with said third gear element, said reverse gear element being positioned to mesh with one of said gear elements on said range selector when the latter is moved through'a position in mesh with one of said countershaft gear elements into mesh with said reverse gear, whereby two ratios of said driven shaft can be obtained in reverse direction by shifting said speed selector between positions in mesh with said pair of count-ershaft gear elements.

4. In power transmitting mechanism, a first splined shaft, a compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a pair of axially spaced interconnected gear elements, a second pair of interconnected gear elements rotatable about. an axis parallel to said first shaft, said second pair of elements being spaced relative to said gear member to mesh with the latter, selectively, by moving said compound gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, a second splined shaft disposed parallel to said first splined shaft, a second compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a third pair of gear elements, the

latter being adapted to mesh with either of said axially spaced interconnected elements, a second pair of interconnected gear elements rotatable about an axis parallel to said first shaft, said second pair of elements being spaced relative to said gear member to mesh with the latter, selectively, by moving said compound gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, a". second splined shaft disposed parallel to said first splined shaft, a second compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a third pair of gear elements, the latter being adapted to mesh with either of said second pair of gear elements, selectively, by moving said second gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, said members being shiftable through substantially equal extents of movements, shifting forks engaging said gear members, respectively, and a pair of control levers mounted in side by side relation and connectedwith said shifting forks, respectively, for shifting said compound gear members, said levers being shiftable simultaneously through coextensive ranges of movement or independently to relatively opposite ends of said ranges to obtain four different gear ratios between said splined shafts,

6. In power transmitting mechanism, a pair of parallel disposed splined shafts, a pair of compound gear members slidable axially on said shafts, respectively, each of said members comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements, a third shaft disposed intermediate said splined shafts and parallel thereto, a pair of axially spaced gear elementsfixed on said third shaft and so positioned that the two gear elements of each gear member can be shifted into mesh with the two gear elements on said third shaft, respectively, by shifting each of said gear members independently in either direction along its respective splined shaft, shifting forks engaging said gear members, respectively, and a pair of control levers mounted in side by side relation and connected with said shifting forks, respectively, for shifting said compound gear members, either simultaneously or independently, to obtain four different gear ratios between said splined shafts.

7. In power transmitting mechanism, a first splined shaft, a compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a pair of axially spaced interconnected gear elements, a second pair of interconnected gear elements rotatable about an axis parallel to said first shaft, said second pair of elements being spaced relative to said gear member to mesh with the latter, selectively, by moving said compound gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, a second spline shaft disposed parallel to said first splined shaft, a second compound gear member shiftabl axially thereon and comprising a third pair of gear elements, the latter being adapted to mesh with either of said second pair of. gear elements, selectively, by mov-' ing said second gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, another gear element rotatably disposed on an axis parallel to said splined shafts adjacent one of said compound gear members, the latter being shiftable from one of said operating posi-' tions to a third operating position in which one of the pair of gear elements on that member is in mesh with said other gear element, shifting forks engaging said gear members, respectively,

. ll and a pair or control levers mounted in side by side relation and connected with said shitting forks, respectively, for shifting said compound gear members, said levers beingshiitable simultaneously or independently,

8. In power transmitting mechanism, a splined drive shaft, a splined driven shaft parallel thereto, a countershait disposed'parallel to said splined shafts, a pair or axially spaced gear elements fixed on said countershait, a range selector slidable axially on said drive shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershait to drive the latter at two diiIerent speeds, selectively, a speed selector slidable axially on said driven shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements 3 adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershait to drive said driven shalt at two diflerent speeds, selectively, at either or said two speeds or said countershait, providing tour gear ratios between said splined shafts in a given directicn of rotation, a third gear element fixed on an axis parallel to said first shalt, said second pair said countershait, and a reverse gear element meshing with said third gear element. said reverse gear element being positioned to mesh with one of said gear elements on one or said selectors when the latter is shifted axially beyond one or its meshing positions to drive said driven shaft in reverse direction, providing two gear ratios at which said driven shalt can be driven in said reverse direction, shitting Iorks engaging said selectors, respectively, and a pair of control levers pivotally mounted on a common pivot for swinging movement in parallel planes between two positions, either simultaneously or independently to provide four gear ratios in one direction oi rotation oi said driven shaft, one oi. said levers of elements being spaced relative to said gear member to mesh with the latter, selectively, by moving said compound gear member in relatively opposite directions. into either of two operating positions, a second splined shaft disposed parallel to said first splined shalt, a second compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a third pair of gear elements, the latter being adapted to mesh with either of said second pair of gear elements, selectively, by moving said second gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, a pair of shifting members connected with said gear members, disposed side by side and shiftable axially oi the latter, said shitting members having recesses in their adjacent sides, and a control lever engageable with a recess in one 0! said shifting members ior shifting one gear member to either of its operating positions, the other of said members having spaced recesses disposed in register with the two positions of the first mentioned recess and adapted to receive said lever from either of said positions for then shifting said other member in either direction to its two operating positions, selectively.

being shiitable to a third position to obtain said reverse connection, whereupon said two gear ratios in reverse can be obtained by shifting the other or said levers between said two positions.

9. In power transmitting mechanism, a first splined shaft. a compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a pair of axially spaced interconnected gear elements, a second pair of interconnected gear elements rotatable about an axis parallel to said first shaft, said second pair of elements being spaced relative to said gear member to mesh with the latter, selectively, by moving said compound gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, a second splined shaft disposed parallel to said first splined shai't, a second compound gear member shiitable axially thereon and comprising a third pair 0! gear elements, the latter being adapted to mesh with either of said second pair of gear elements, selectively, by moving said second gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, shifting members engaging said gear members, respectively, a control lever movable into engagement with one of said shifting members and shiitable in either direction to shift the associated gear elements into mesh with either oi said second pair of elements, respectively, said lever being movable optionally into engagement with the other of said shifting members for shifting the other gear member independently into mesh with either oi said second pair of elements.

'10. In power transmitting mechanism, a first splined shaft, a compound gear member shiitable axially thereon and comprising a pair of axially spaced interconnected elements, a second pair oi interconnected gear elements rotatable about 11. In power transmitting mechanism, a first splined shaft, a compound gear member shiitable axially thereon and comprising a pair oi. axially spaced interconnected gear elements, a second pair of interconnected gear elements rotatable about an axis parallel to said first shaft, said second pair of elements being spaced relative to said gear member to mesh with the latter, selectively, by moving said compound gear member in relatively opposite directions into either of two operating positions, a second splined shaft disposed parallel to said first splined shaft, a second compound gear member shiftable axially thereon and comprising a third pair of gear elements, the latter being adapted to mesh with either of said second pair of gear elements, selectively, by moving said second gear member in relatively opposlte directions into either 01 two operating positions, a pair of shifting members connected with said gear members, a stationary wall between said shitting members and along which the latter are slidable axially oi the gear members, said shifting members having recesses in their adjacent sides, and a control lever engageable with a. recess in one of said shitting members for shifting one gear member to either of its operating positions, said wall having gates disposed in register with the two positions of the recess, there being a pair of recesses in the other of said shifting members disposed in register with said gates when the associated gear member is in a central disconnected position, whereby said control lever can be shiited through the adjacent gate from said recess in said one shifting member in either of its operating positions, into engagement with-one of said pair of recesses for shifting the latter along said wall in either direction, selectively.

12. In power transmitting mechanism, a splined drive shaft, a splined driven shaft parallel thereto, a countershaft disposed parallel to said splined shafts, a pair of axially spaced gear elements fixed on said countershaft, a range selector slidable axially on said drive shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershaft to drive the latter at two different speeds, selectively, a speed selector slidable axially on said driven-shaft and comprising a pair of axially spaced, interconnected gear elements adapted to mesh with said gear elements on said countershaft to drive said driven shaft at two diflerent speeds, selectively, at either of said two speeds of said countershaft, providing four gear ratios between said splined shafts in a given direction of rotation, a third gearelement fixed on said countershaft, and a reverse gear element meshing with said third gear element, said reverse gear element being positioned to mesh with one of said gear elements on said range selector when the latter is moved through a position in mesh with one of said countershaft gear elements into mesh with said reverse gear, a pair of shifting members connected with said gear members. respectively, disposed side by side and shiftable axially of the latter, said shifting members having recesses in their adjacent sides, and a control lever engageable with said recesses and shiftable from a recess in said range selector shifting member from either of its operating positions to one" of a pair of recesses in said speed selector shifting member which register with said recess in the respective position thereof, said speed selector being then shiftable by said lever to either of its speed selecting positions, another of said recesses in said range selector shifting member being positioned to register with a recess in said speed selector shifting member in one of the speed selecting positions of the latter, to receive said lever therefrom, whereby said range selector can then be shifted by said lever to mesh with said reverse gear.

13. In power transmitting mechanism of the class described, a pair of shifting members positioned side by side for independent sliding movement, said members having recesses in their adjacent sides, a control lever engageable with one of said recesses for shifting one of said members in either direction to a pair of opposite operating positions, the recesses in the other of said members being spaced to register with the first mentioned recess in the two operating positions of the first said member, respectively, said other member then being shiftable by said lever in either direction to a pair of opposite operating 14 positions, there'being a second recess in said one member disposed in register with one of the recesses in said other member to receive said control lever therefrom when said members have each been shifted to a certain pair of operating positions, thereby permitting said one member to be shifted to an extreme operating position beyond said two, operating positions thereof.

14. In power transmitting mechanism of the class described, a pair of shifting members positioned side by side for independent sliding movement, a wall disposed between said members havin a pair of spaced gates therein, said members having recesses in their adjacent sides, a control lever engageable with a recess in one of said members to shift the latter to either of two operating positions with said recess in register with one of said gates, respectively, the other member having recesses spaced to register with said gates, respectively, to receive said lever therethrough, whereby said other member can then be shifted by said lever to either of two operating positions, there being a third gate in said well and a second recess in said one member adapted to register in one of said positions of said one member, in a position .in register with one of the recesses, in the other member when the latter is shifted into one of its operating positions with the lever in the last mentioned recess, whereby said lever can be moved through said third gate into said second recess to shift said one member to a third operating position.

FRANK T. COURT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 40 Number Name Date 1,149,515 Hinchman Aug. 10, 1915 1,756,917 Tenney Apr. 29, 1930 1,817,036 Kearney et a1. Aug. 4, 1931 2,315,808 Miller Apr. 6, 1943 2,334,958 -Rohkar Nov. 23, 1943 

